Applying Computer Software to Investigate the Effect of Dowel Bar Distribution on Concrete Pavement's Flexural, Bearing Stresses, and Deflection

Abstract

Cement concrete pavement, often known as rigid pavement, is a type of road structure that provides a durable surface for automotive traffic. In rigid pavements, stresses due to traffic loads are conveyed by slab action, as opposed to the grain-to-grain interaction seen in flexible pavements. Dowel bars are used to prevent distortion along the edges of the cement concrete pavement panels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different quantities (12, 11, 9, 8) of dowel bars spaced at different intervals along concrete panels of 3.6m width on flexural stress, bearing stress, and deformation caused by a 660 kN moving truck, through three suggested paths using SAP2000 software. Three different panel lengths (6m, 9m, and 20m) with differing concrete specifications (C25 and C33) were evaluated. The findings demonstrated no significant variation in edge deflection across panels with varying dowel bar distributions for each panel length; however, the greatest deflection differential of 50.5% was recorded between doweled and undoweled panels with a length of 20m. The distribution of dowel configurations 11, 9, and 8 was efficient in concrete type C33 panels, resulting in an 8%, 18%, and 33% reduction, respectively, in dowel bar consumption when compared to panels reinforced with 12 dowels.